44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel 07733
732-946-3758 
Brochure | Tick Advisory | History
Free Weekend Activities
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; extended hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Memorial Day-Labor Day   
      

The sights, sounds, and smells of rural Monmouth County in the 1890s have been re-created on 9 acres at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel Park, Holmdel. Interpreters in period dress show both daily and seasonal agricultural and domestic activities. 

Longstreet Farm is open daily year round from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors may enter at their leisure, free of charge. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the farm is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pets are not allowed within the farm.

The Farmhouse is open weekends and holidays, March through December, from 12-3:30 p.m. or by reservation. For reservations and information, call 732-946-3758. 

Other points of interest: Tenant House - This building, across Longstreet Road, was home to the family that worked at Longstreet Farm. During the 1890s, the Hylin family, who emigrated from Ireland, were tenants on the farm. The house is now used for staff offices. c. 1850 with additions.

Holmes-Hendrickson House - Nestled in a grove of trees, this historic museum is operated by the Monmouth County Historical Association. Built in 1754, it provides an excellent example of local Dutch building tradition and a glimpse into the county's colonial past.  For more information, please visit the MCHA web site.

The site is maintained as a living historical farm with the purpose of interpreting the agricultural activities in Monmouth County's rural past. This interpretation includes the breeds of animals and crops raised at this site in the 1890s. For your safety, as well as the safety of the animals, we ask that you do not touch or feed the animals. As a general precaution when leaving this site, you are encouraged to wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Longstreet Farm’s mission is to promote an appreciation for Monmouth County farm life at the end of the 19th century, preserving historic structures and practices through interpretive programs and tours.  Livestock are an important component of this mission. The farm’s livestock are raised and cared for just as they were in the past – to meet the labor, food, and material needs of the farm.  Mules and horses help plow the fields and harvest crops; dairy cows, chickens and pigs provide food to eat; and sheep are raised for meat and wool. 
 
The livestock are well cared for and receive modern veterinary visits to secure their good health and intended use.  Periodically, the animals are bred to ensure the health of the historic breeds and to provide visitors with a realistic window into the life cycle of farm animals as it was in the 1890s and as it is today on thousands of small farms across the nation. 
 
When the animals can no longer work toward the educational goals of the farm, they are replaced with animals that can.  Farm staff work with local farmers who may prepare the animals for market, or with institutions that may have other uses for the animals. The Park System welcomes placement offers for retired Longstreet Farm livestock. Inquiries may be made to Philip Andras, Park Manager, 732-946-3758. Longstreet Farm Livestock

Throughout the year, Longstreet Farm hosts weekend activities that allow visitors to experience life as it would have been during the 1890s. For additional information on any of these activities, call 732-946-3758.  

Upcoming Free Events:   

Blacksmith Demonstration                  
Please check back for upcoming dates.  
Head to the blacksmith shop and see this skill in action.   

Cookstove Demonstration   

Saturdays, June 10 & 24 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.    

Saturdays, July 8 & 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.     

Saturdays, August 5 & 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.     

Stop by the out kitchen to see what’s cooking on the wood-fired stove. Discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s.  

     

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration  

Saturday, June 10 from 12-3 p.m.    
Saturday, August 12 from 12-3 p.m.   

Woodworking is more than carpentry. See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items.

      

Lacemaking Demonstration  

Saturday, June 3 from 1-3 p.m.   

Watch lacemaking in action, as our demonstrator shows the historic techniques of crochet, bobbin and shuttle work used in the Victorian era.  
  

Felting Demonstration   

Sunday, June 11 from 1-3 p.m.   

Felted wool is the world’s oldest known textile – learn the process of felting wool that can be used in garments.
   

Independence Day Celebration   

Tuesday, July 4 from 12-3 p.m.   

Independence Day was a festive time in the 1890s - patriotism was celebrated with music and games. Join the staff at Longstreet Farm as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests.
  

Wheat Harvest Demonstration   

Sunday, July 9 from 12-2 p.m.   

Take a step back in time to watch our draft animals in action. This weekend the Longstreet Farm staff will be harvesting our wheat crop. The wheat will be cut, gathered and bundled into sheathes using a horse drawn grain binder. This labor-intensive way of harvesting wheat would been common in the 1890s.
  

Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration    

Saturday, July 8 from 1-3 p.m.   

Visit the farm to watch the art of spinning fleece and learn various methods of knitting and weaving.

Threshing Demonstration   

Sunday, July 16 from 12-2 p.m.   

This weekend the Longstreet Farm staff will be threshing our wheat crop. A thresher is a piece of farm equipment that threshes grain, that is, it removes the seeds from the stalks and the chaff the covers it.
  

Penny Rug Demonstration   

Saturday, August 5 from 1-3 p.m.   

In the 1800s, thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing to create designs for mats or rugs. Be inspired to create your own mat or rug.
  

Machinery Expo  

Sunday, August 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.   

Take a gander at the best “modern” technology the 1890s has to offer. Our machinery will be out of storage and in full view for one day only! Staff will be on-hand to discuss the mechanics of Longstreet Farm’s horse-drawn implements and household/kitchen equipment.

   

Smocking Demonstration   

Saturday, August 26 from 1-3 p.m.   

Visit Longstreet Farm and view the lost art of smocking, a decorative embroidery or shirring made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks. Years ago, children’s clothing had this decorative embroidery.

   

Potato Harvest   

Saturday & Sunday, August 26 & 27 from 12-2 p.m.    

Learn how potatoes were grown and harvested at the end of the 19th century. Help the Longstreet Farm staff bring in the crop, and dig some potatoes for your own family.

  

Reserve Group Activities    

Longstreet Farm has group activities covering a variety of topics relating to agricultural and social history. These programs have been developed for a wide range of age groups. There are fees for all programs listed. For additional information and registration, call 732-946-3758 or write to Longstreet Farm Programs, Monmouth County Park System, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738. 

Professional Portrait Photography    

Directions

• Garden State Parkway to Exit 114. Southbound, turn right onto Red Hill Rd; northbound, turn left onto Red Hill Rd. Follow Red Hill Rd. to Everett Rd., turn right (heading west). Follow Everett Rd. to Roberts Rd., turn left. Follow Roberts Rd. to Longstreet Rd., turn right to Park on left.  
  
• State Hwy. 34 to Roberts Rd. (1.75 miles north of Rt. 520). Southbound, turn left; northbound, turn right. Follow Roberts Rd. to Longstreet Rd., turn left. Park is on left. 
  
• State Hwy. 35 to Holmdel/Keyport Rd. Northbound, turn left; southbound, turn right. Follow Holmdel/Keyport Rd. to Crawfords Corner Rd., turn left. Continue to Longstreet Rd., turn right Park is on right.